Servizio Civile Internazionale

What Servizio Civile Internazionale does

Servizio Civile Internazionale (SCI Italia) is a Rome-based non-governmental organization established in 1920 and legally constituted as an APS (Associazione di Promozione Sociale) under Italy's Codice del Terzo Settore. It is the Italian branch of the Service Civil International (SCI) network, which is active in 36 countries, and it holds NGO recognition from the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs as well as consultive status with UNESCO and the Council of Europe. The organization coordinates international volunteer placements through short-term workcamps (1–3 weeks), long-term volunteering (1–12 months), Erasmus+ youth exchanges, and the European Solidarity Corps, partnering with branches such as SCI Poland, SCI Sri Lanka, and SCI Bangladesh to enable reciprocal placements across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

The organization operates three offices in Rome, including the operational headquarters at La Città dell'Utopia, which also functions as a community venue hosting events such as the Festival Internazionale della Zuppa. Its technology footprint is limited to standard nonprofit tooling: WordPress-based web properties, dedicated workcamp and volunteer search engines (workcamps.sci.ngo, volunteer.sci.ngo), Sendinblue for newsletters, and PayPal for donation processing. No proprietary platform, mobile app, or AI capability was identified in the source material.

SCI Italia's revenue model is a hybrid of membership fees (soci), tax-deductible individual and corporate donations (30% deduction up to €30,000 for individuals; up to 10% for businesses), 5x1000 Italian tax designations, and EU program funding channeled through Erasmus+ and the European Solidarity Corps. Volunteers self-fund their travel, accommodation, and living expenses for most placements. The organization employs 38 people and has not disclosed annual revenue or ARR.

Name

Servizio Civile Internazionale

Legal name

Servizio Civile Internazionale APS

Website

https://sci-italia.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Servizio Civile Internazionale (SCI Italia) is a Rome-based non-profit and the Italian branch of a 36-country international volunteer network, coordinating short-term workcamps, long-term placements, and Erasmus+ and European Solidarity Corps programs for young adults aged 18-30 across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Volunteering Services

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410), Social Assistance (624)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Unpaid/Volunteer-Linked Work Placement Programs (EDAIAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

In-Country Placement, Homestay & On-Ground Coordination Services (EDAIAGAM), Provider-Run International Internship Programs (Multi-Country/Multi-Industry) (EDAIAFAA)

Keywords

• International volunteering programs
• Volunteer camps
• Peace education training
• Long-term volunteering
• European Solidarity Corps

Headquarters

HQ city

Roma

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Individuals become members (soci) of SCI Italia, supporting the organization and gaining access to volunteer opportunities and network benefits.
2. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations. Donations qualify for fiscal benefits: 30% tax deduction up to €30,000 for individuals, up to 10% deduction for businesses.
3. 5x1000 contributions: Italian tax designation allowing taxpayers to allocate 5 per thousand of their IRPEF tax to support the organization.
4. Self-funded volunteer participation: Volunteers cover their own participation costs (travel, accommodation, meals) for international volunteering projects. SCI facilitates these self-financed experiences through partner organizations worldwide.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

SCI Italia organizes and coordinates international volunteering placements for individuals (primarily aged 18–30), including short-term volunteer camps of 1–3 weeks, long-term self-funded volunteering projects of 1–12 months, and EU-funded programs such as the European Solidarity Corps and Erasmus+ youth mobility. The organization also delivers preparatory training in non-formal peace education, cross-cultural communication, and conflict management, and connects volunteers with host communities through its membership in the 36-country Service Civil International global network.

Product overview

Servizio Civile Internazionale (SCI Italia) is a non-governmental organization offering international volunteering programs through multiple interconnected services. The core offerings include short-term volunteer camps (1-3 weeks), long-term volunteering (1-12 months), European Solidarity Corps (ESC) projects, and Erasmus+ educational mobility programs. Additional services include training programs for international volunteering preparation, fiscal donation benefits, and membership options. The organization operates La Città dell'Utopia as its headquarters and social center in Rome, providing event space and community activities. SCI Italia connects volunteers with opportunities worldwide through its international network active in 36 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Campi di Volontariato (Short-term Volunteering Camps) International volunteer camps of 1 to 3 weeks on social, ecological, or cultural themes in Italy or abroad, bringing together participants from around the world, targeted primarily at individuals aged 16+.
• Long Term Volunteering (LTV) Self-funded volunteer experiences lasting 1 to 12 months at SCI Italy's locations or international partner sites, aimed at individuals seeking extended international engagement.
• European Solidarity Corps (ESC) EU-funded volunteering programme offering short and long-term placements for young people aged 18–30 across Europe and beyond, with SCI Italy acting as accredited sending and hosting organization.
• Erasmus+ Projects Educational mobility programmes including youth exchanges, training courses, and volunteering activities funded by the European Union, coordinated by SCI Italy.
• Formazione al Volontariato Internazionale Training programmes preparing volunteers for international volunteering, covering cross-cultural communication, conflict management, and social-activism skills, based on non-formal peace education principles.

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• La Città dell'UtopiacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa Città dell'Utopia is SCI Italia's primary operational headquarters and key collaborator, hosting the Festival Internazionale della Zuppa and other community events. It serves as the main venue for training, meetings, and volunteer coordination in Rome.
• Service Civil International (SCI) - Global NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI Italia is the Italian branch of the international SCI network active in 36 countries since 1920. The partnership enables cross-border volunteer exchanges and shared methodologies for peace education and international voluntary service.
• CCIVS (Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational coalition of voluntary service organizations working on peace and social justice issues. CCIVS and SCI collaborate on advocacy, joint initiatives, and policy positions on global peace and volunteer issues.
• Erasmus+ Youth ProgrammecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEU funding program supporting youth mobility and international volunteering projects. SCI Italia participates as coordinating organization and sending organization for youth exchanges and training courses.
• European Solidarity Corps (ESC)coreGTM or Marketing PartnerEU program enabling young people to volunteer abroad. SCI Italia is an accredited sending and hosting organization, coordinating long-term and short-term ESC placements for Italian and international youth.
• Agenzia per i GiovanimajorGTM or Marketing PartnerItalian National Agency for Erasmus+ Youth and European Solidarity Corps. SCI Italia works with the agency for program accreditation, funding, and coordination of EU youth mobility initiatives.
• Stowarzyszenie Jeden Świat - SCI PolandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish branch of SCI organizing joint Erasmus+ projects including the Peace INfluencers initiative on media literacy and digital peacebuilding.
• Spreeplan Projekt UGminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization running the Flusshof sustainable farm in Germany's Middle Elbe UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, hosting SCI volunteers for eco-construction and biodiversity projects.
• Othona Community (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBritish community hosting international volunteers for 50+ years near Bradwell-on-Sea, Essex. Focus on peace, dialogue, and international understanding through communal living.
• SCI Sri LankaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSri Lankan SCI branch managing Mutur Peace Centre, hosting volunteers for community development, education, and environmental projects in the Trincomalee region.
• SCI BangladeshminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSCI Bangladesh manages the SCI Mother & Child Care Center in Rangabali, coordinating medical camps and healthcare support in the coastal region vulnerable to climate change.
• Associazione Terzo MillenniominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian association 'Laboratorio di Umana Solidarietà' promoting human rights through integration and emancipation programs for refugees, asylum seekers, and immigrants in southern Italy.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Coordinating Committee for International Voluntary Service (CCIVS): UNESCO-affiliated coalition coordinating international voluntary service organizations worldwide. Directly comparable as a network hub for international volunteer placement; CCIVS is already a named partner of SCI Italia.
• AIESEC: Global youth-led network offering international volunteering, leadership programs, and cross-cultural exchanges. Directly comparable to SCI Italia in target demographic (18-30 year-olds), international volunteer placement model, and non-profit network structure across 100+ countries.
• Erasmus Student Network (ESN): Pan-European student organization supporting Erasmus+ mobility participants with 40+ country presence. Directly comparable in target demographic (young Europeans seeking international experience), partnership with EU programs, and non-profit volunteer-driven network structure.
• SCI Germany (Service Civil International - Deutschland): German branch of the SCI network running international volunteering camps and Erasmus+ projects. Closest comparable as a sister organization within the same global network, sharing methodologies, partnership arrangements, and program structure.
• Habitat for Humanity International: Large international NGO placing volunteers in community construction and housing projects globally. Comparable in international volunteer placement model, non-profit structure, and operational presence in 70+ countries with self-funded/hosted volunteer participation.
• Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO): International NGO specializing in volunteer placements for development and peace outcomes. Directly comparable in mission focus (peace, sustainable development), volunteer placement model, and partnership with global development frameworks.

Emerging players

• Worldpackers: Online marketplace for volunteer travel and cultural exchange with a focus on host-verified placements. Comparable in volunteer-placement value proposition but uses a commercial platform model versus SCI Italia's NGO-coordinated approach.
• Workaway: Tech-driven volunteer/work-exchange marketplace connecting travelers with hosts worldwide. Comparable target audience (international volunteers, cultural exchange seekers) but operates as a for-profit digital platform versus SCI Italia's NGO placement model.
• Projects Abroad: For-profit provider of international volunteer programs (teaching, conservation, healthcare) across 30+ countries. Comparable product offering (international volunteer placements) and target demographic but commercial rather than non-profit.

Broad incumbents

• Peace Corps: US government-run international volunteer service placing Americans in 60+ countries for development and peace promotion. Comparable in mission (peace, international service) and volunteer placement model, though government-operated rather than NGO-run.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@SCIItalia
• Facebookfacebook.com/sci.italy
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/servizio-civile-internazionale
• Instagraminstagram.com/sciitalia
• TikToktiktok.com/@sciitalia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Servizio Civile Internazionale